Showing posts with label dog training california. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dog training california. Show all posts

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Dog training?

Well I Think i trained my Dog well, what you guys think?http://www.bigpawsonly.com/dog-images/poop-scoop.jpg

Online Dog Training - Train Your Dog Using Your Computer - Seriously!



Recommended Answer:
Will he come over and do my yard next?

Dog Training Supplies - Dog Collars


  • hahaha. That's hilarious.

  • Whats your address, i have a staffy and a rotty i need to send to u for training..... ;)

  • WTFCk! how did you do that? seriously haha i really want to know. its so cute

  • My dog is a step ahead... he can make it disappear.
Read More...

Friday, September 21, 2012

Dog Health Questions: I'm Not satisfied with this dog trainer. what should i do??

a dog trainer came over yesterday, and spend 3 1/2 hours here. shes with the nationwide dog training company called barkbusters, she charges $500, and when she came over yesterday, thats all she was worried about first was the money. she wouldnt say anything about the training until we had the money situation figured out first. then we talked for like 2 hours and 45 minutes. and everything that she was saying I ALREADY KNEW! then the last 45 minutes she told me how to train the dog, by if he scratches the door, throw a chain at the door and growl "bah" at him, and then tell him to sit, we did the same thing for when he would bark when someone came in, and when he steals food off of the table we would do it too, throwing chain at floor say bah. well then she said then next time she comes will be december 13. so i was sitting down looking over the papers and the training chart that i have to do til next time she comes, and ididnt see the aggression issue on there at all, then i relized

Border Collie Dogs Training - Getting Started



Recommended Answer:
I am so sorry. She sounds awful. Maybe check with other reputable dog trainers and call the Better Business Bureau. See if she has done this to others and try to get your money back. Good luck

Boxer Dog Training Tips and Ideas That Are Critical to Effective Instruction


  • you need to call and talk to management.

  • find a new dog trainer...

  • I think you need to call the office of the company and make a formal complaint.

  • Ya you realized the same thing I did in just reading this. Unless they have a guarantee in writing then you are 500 bucks less in the account. Next time you want to spend like this, without checking out the Company and without a warranty send it to me. I will put it in the bank for ya..

  • Ask for your money back or part of your money back and why. Turn her into the BBB if she doesn't. Make blogs about her business, that is all she does when she comes over. :) Hope you get it resolved. I would be pissed, too.

  • I am so glad I read this....I was thinking of using Barkbusters to train my dog but haven't done it yet due to the cost ($500 seemed very expensive for a 3 hour visit). Contact their head office (should be on the website) and talk to them; they may send out another trainer for you. From what they say in their website they are supposed to do a much more thorough job of training than what you described. By the way, they also claim to have a lifetime guarantee on the training (no extra cost) so ask them about that too!

  • sue the company and get in touch with the dog whisperer

  • wow she sounds like she did nothing for u call the company and ask what do they do and see if it matches what she did if not complain and have them send someone else to u. My trainer that came to my house was not like that he trained my dog and the first time he came he had changed my dog

  • If you have a phone number for this person, call her and discuss your feelings over the phone. If that doesn't go well, you can always complain to the corporate headquarters. I believe there is a link on their website.
    If you live in a large enough city you may have some options for trainers through a local obedience club. Check www.akc.org and look under "clubs".

  • If you're not satisfied, call the company and complain and ask to be reimbursed. Be polite, but firm and tell them you did not find the trainer to be helpful at all. Ask for either a refund or another session with a different trainer (at no cost).

    You said it is a nation-wide business. If this trainer is not just an employee, but a franchise owner, I would contact the company's home office.

  • It seems as if you got an incompetent trainer. Report her and request another person for the next visit.
    For $500.00 you need more expertise.

  • Get you money back, if you can. Go to Petsmart and pay $100 for something like 8 weeks of training that works. At Petsmart, if you aren't satisfied you can retake the training unlimited times for free.

  • I'd find a new trainer. Check with Petsmart, they offer training and if you don't have a store near you, they can still recommend a trainer in your area. Also, if you know a Sheriff Officer or State Trooper, you can ask to see who trains their k9 unit, or see if the k9 officer does any training.

  • Contact the company and let them know that you expect a more detailed level trainer or a refund...might not work but worth a try. If you still aren't happy then report them to the Better Business Bureau as well as letting your vet know so that others won't hire them and feel cheated as you do. She should have been working with you AND the dog in short sessions not lecturing for hours. Be sure and post what happens here so others will know how the company handles this issue.

  • call up and simply tell them your not interested in furthering your sessions with these people and find a new trainer!

    if your not happy with the issues (and it sounds liek this personal didnt cover anything you realy needed to cover...) you also shoudl feel comfortable enough to talk to the trainer about the issues you realy want to cover ect.

    if not, you NEED to find a new trainer.

  • Call BarkBusters and complain ( I doubt you'll get anywhere). Then call a new dog trainer and this time you'll know what questions to ask up front. Most reputable dog training companies will work with both you and your dog for an hour or two at a time and it's a regularly scheduled (weekly) training time. Most do want the money up front but others are pay as you learn. Good luck!

  • I see exactly what she is doing.

    If you can get enough backbone to make the dog stop doing other bad behavior then maybe you will be able to stop the aggression.

    You need to take control of the little things first. Keep him from stealling food and barking like you are in charge. "bah"

    Added:

    You wrote a check for services rendered. You owe her the money thats a very simple civil suit.

  • realised what !?look if she cost you 500 dollars you have been well and truely done ,look i have done this job and i have got a lot of owners and dogs sorted out for a fraction of the cost as regards to the monkey ,that should not be the issue here for starters ,ask about the animal but not for that length of time and to be honest anyone in this business explains the cost right at the begining ,and then a plan is set out for both youre self and the dog ,and see what you have done in the training and throwing a chain at the dog wont help this problem it will only learn to see it coming and learn to be a bigger problem ,now as for her coming back phone her up and tell her that she dosent need to come back as youre not interested in her trainning process as this is not how you want youre dog treated .......i hope you can get this problem sorted out .....take care xx

  • Call the company and tell them all this.
    However, it would seem that you were partly at fault in not stating at the outset to the trainer that aggression was the problem rather than letting her go on and on for hours about other things.

    Seems that there was extreme lack of communication between what you needed for your dog and what she was doing.

    Stopping the check doesn't solve anything, if you have a contract or agreement with these people, it will just leave you open for small claims court or worse. You need to talk to the head of the company (or office) and reach a settlement.

  • I would complain to Barkbusters and find another trainer! The aggression issue is the first thing she should have dealt with! A dog trainer is a service and if you do not like it you have the right to find another one suited to your needs!

    A good trainer is going to ask questions (it is called 'pet detective!') not just tell you a lot of stuff!

    Try contacting the Better Business Bureau also. Did you sign a contract with her for a certain amount of sessions? If so, there should be a clause for you not being satisfied with the service. You could take her to court also. She may not want to take the time to deal with you in this way.

  • Of course she should get her money up front. With people now a days, you can't trust them to pay you afterwards. If she had done the training and then you said you had no money ... then what?? She can't take back what she taught you. They have probably found just like everyone else out there that people cannot be trusted to pay the money they owe once they already have something.

    If you aren't pleased with the training and the information you got, then you should contact Barkbusters and tell them you aren't happy. I would think they should have some sort of guarantee that you should be happy with what you are getting.. Did you not sign a contract, or get any information at all before you started this?
    If you don't like how it's going, and you don't feel that they are doing what you want, then find a new trainer. If you agreed to the $500, for the session, then you are obligated to pay that $500. You can't stop payment on your cheque. You got your training. They'll just take you to court if you try to refuse payment for the training. Call and discuss it with Barkbuster and find out what they are saying about it all.. Find out if they even train aggressive dogs.. Maybe you weren't clear in what you wanted your dog to learn?

  • quote
    "that she never even said anything about how to solve the aggression issue with my dog. which is my main problem here that needs fixing asap! "

    A-er,,,,, why on earth would you call an O/B trainer for an aggression problem????
    Sorry to say it but there are better choices. Like perhaps a Behaviorist that specializes in agressive dogs.

  • I detest Bark Busters.

    It's a franchise ANYONE can purchase. The owners attend a 3 week training sessions and then call themselves "trainers" or "behavorists".

    The entire "method" they use is growling at the dogs. There was an article in our local paper a couple years ago about them. We were furious that a franchise got free press with some guy who'd been a traininer for all of 5 months and he was calling himself an expert. Our non-profit organization does training and have been training for YEARS and we didn't get that kind of press....

    Anyway, look at the contract. It should state that there is a lifetime quarantee. This means they will keep coming back for as long as you own the dog or for a year to work on the issue you have.

    I'd do 2 things. Quickly call an attorney for help and see if you can stop payment legally. That consultation may cost you more than the $500.00.

    Work with these dopes for EVER. Keep making them come back until your dog is fixed. I'd pester the daylights out of them until they refunded your money. You paid for a service, USE it. It's a small business with that woman for an owner..... She needs to keep coming over to help you, that's what their contract states. Make her help you... and help you and help you and help you...

    Make sure you get your $500. worth of training. It says on their website they can help with aggression. Make them help. If not, call the home office. Complain to the Better Business Bureau, Angies List, Craig's list Etc.

    The thing is, you have only 1 consultation right now to go on and that's not enough to say the method isn't working.

    If it were me, I'd ask the attorney about the money. Then I'd probably just chalk up losing the $500. You can try using them. But growling at dogs and noises don't train dogs.

    Post a question about those methods here and see what Tom l, Greekman and Animal Artwork have to say about them. They'll all say this is garbage.

    It's more important to get your dog on the right track.

    I wish you the best of luck!

  • You said that she did nothing to train your dog, she just told you what to do. Well, that is what trainers are supposed to do. Trainers train YOU to train your dog, they don't actually do the training. If she did everything, you wouldn't know what to do when she left.

  • Get a new trainer or do it yourself. I would call the company and get your money back too. Sounds like the lady is trying to take advantage of you.

  • Hi there,
    As a dog trainer myself all I can say is WOW, $500 bucks for a visit.
    I really don`t know what you can do about your present situation, owing her a fee.
    Did you sign any sort of contract with her? If so be careful what you do.
    Anyway the first time you would see me in that type of situation would be to first evaluate the dog and it`s handlers. Then sit you down and tell you about my observations to be sure we were on the same page.
    Then I would ask about your concerns and what you would like the dog to do.
    All this info would give me a starting point for a plan that we would start the next visit.
    $500 bucks, WOW, I still can`t get over that!!!
    I would deffinately charge for the evaluation and milage if you lived outside of my area, but it sure wouldn`t be that hefty.
    Following that I would charge you a flat rate for all visits following, and I charge $35 per hour plus milage if your outside the area for private lessons.
    Big difference is that I`m a "hands on trainer", simply put, I would not leave your residence till you understood and could preform that weeks exercises.
    Bottom line, before getting involved with any trainer, attend one or 2 of his/her classes to evaluate the trainer and see if it is what you want.
    If they tell you that you can not come see them in action, drop that one and continue searching.
    Perhaps look under obedience clubs, they normally set a lower rate, and have dedicated trainers.
    Even I attend other trainers classes, sure I can train my own dogs but I always need the distractions to make sure my dog is trained the way I want it.
    Hopefully this has helped you out. If you have any questions that I can help you with don`t hesitate to contact me at dogtrainer7@yahoo.
    Good Luck

  • Definately NOT one of my favorite "styles" of training. I find it generally ineffective at best. However, the average dog probably can be managed with such methods.... trouble is, by the time someone's willing to spend that amount of money on training a dog "average" is not usually the correct description for the dog.

    All that aside... Payment is expected up front by most trainers and consultants. Most trainers do not train your dog for you, but simply teach you how to train your dog... you're paying for their expertise and knowledge. As a trainer, there are very few dogs who don't listen to me... I can get them to do things their owners have only dreamed of... that doesn't mean that the owner has enough authority over the dog to convince it to even sit... the issue is NOT the dog, but is the owner.

    Training a dog is also about making small steps... forming building blocks for the next larger step. I do not know why she did not address the aggression issue, but it would make more sense to ask her than it would to simply be upset. I have had training situations where I needed to develop a rapport between the owner and the dog BEFORE I could assist in working on what the biggest issue was... frankly, to do so otherwise would have been a good lead in to getting someone bit.

    FWIW.. My initial consultation is $200 for a 2 hour consultation plus written plan. Each additional half hour of training is $75. (I do negotiate some package deals) My average total fee is $750 and includes a consultation and 8 visits. (which may sound like a lot of money but when you consider time lost traveling, gas, problem solving etc... it averages out to be quite a bit less on an hourly basis). If I feel an owner is not following through with the training... I'm pretty blunt about it.

    Edit: I require weekly visits at minimum when I'm working with someone. A month between visits is too long.

  • I would have done what your Dad did, put a stop on the check. Let her sue you, read your contract, it probably states that she'll help you train your dog, instead you have to listen to her talking about things you already know. I had a dog trainer come to my house and we "worked" with my pup, he was amazing and had her obeying commands within 1/2 hour and we talked at the end of each session on what I should be working on and techniques. Don't give up on dog trainers, there are good ones out there. By the way, I paid him after each session not up front. Good luck.

  • Contact the company, not her but the national one, talk to customer relations, the office of the President, whomever but lodge a formal complaint.

    Explain that you talked to her about a specific problem you needed addressed immediately. Note that she said she would address this for you but that she did not either in her visit or her plan for future training. Say that you are thoroughly dissatisfied and feel that you have been misled.

    State that you will pay a reasonable fee for her time but you do not want her service in the future as she has not delivered what she promised. You are the customer and she should not be threatening you but negotiating a reasonable solution. A business person who does not deliver what she promised and threatens you with a criminal complaint is not anyone you ever want inside your home....ever.

    What she said was beyond the pale and completely unprofessional and unacceptable.

    The BBB is useless. The State Attorney General is much more useful and I would go on the web and check out consumer complaint services on your State's website and see what they say about the check, about delivery of services, etc.

    I would also look at your state's laws regarding sales in the home. There may be a cooling off period where you can decide not to buy the service you signed up for as some salespeople resort to high pressure tactics and intimidate customers.

    Hopefully, a call to the national company will have your local franchisee doing a better job of customer service and you can get rid of the contract, pay a fee for her time and be done with this company.

    Unfortunately, anyone can call themselves a trainer or behaviorists and some of them can actually damage your dog both physically and psychologically. If you cannot find someone who is well recommended by multiple, independent sources, I would stick to books by world class behaviorists and trainers. They are available everywhere and they include proven techniques.

  • It seems that I am just one lucky soandso with Barkbusters. I had a great trainer who didn't make us pay the whole amount up front, trained three dogs for the price of one, and discounted because they were rescue dogs. He did a great job with the aggression in our Heeler. I am sorry you had such a bad experience, and I would definitely pursue this with the BBB. In addition, there is a Barkbusters website with a toll-free number that you can call to complain about your trainer. Maybe they will take her franchise away-she definitely needs to be in a different line of work!
Read More...

Monday, September 10, 2012

Dog Health Questions: How can I get started as a dog walker and what tips should I be aware of?

Hi. I'm a student trying to put myself through school and i've been considering dog walking as a possible source of income. i don't want to do it professionally, but i do want to do it enough to make a steady income. plus, it seems like a perfect job, since i love animals (especially dogs) and i love walking, and with spring coming up it seems i could make some really good money out of it

however, i'm not dumb. i know there's a lot that goes with dog walking, and no matter how much research i do i can never seem to find enough information. so i'm hoping that someone here who is also a dog walker will give me some tips on how i should get started, how much to charge, how to handle the dogs, how many i should walk, etc.

Here are some of my questions:

1. how do i get started? i know i should advertise, but where and how? as a first time dog walker, should i just advertise in my local neighborhood or outsource to other areas?

2. how many clients should i take on? how many dogs? what would be a good starting number of dogs for me? should i only walk a certain type of dog until i've gained more experience? keep in mind i have no
experience.

3. how much should i charge? my research turned out about $10 per walk. is this too much for a first timer, or too little? should i charge less?

4. how should i plan my walks? should i take them to parks? am i allowed to take them to parks? or should i just do around the block type walks?

5. how long should i walk them for? should i do it according to weather?

6. what materials should i bring with me on the walks? i read that i should bring a backpack and fill it with toys, a water bottle for me and the dog, a water bowl for the dog, and maybe some plastic bags for excrement. should i buy these things myself or should the client have them on hand?

7. should i read up on dog training techniques and dog behavior before starting out? are there dog walking techniques i should know?

8. if someone asks me to walk a dog who is challenging, should i turn them down?

9. i read that i should contact a vet and learn some basic first aid for dogs. is this good advice?

10. i want to start at part-time. if i do that, how many clients/dogs are considered part-time, and how many days a week? and say if i wanted to change to full-time in the future, can i do that? and how?

11. should i get a license? i don't really want to do it professionally, but should i get one anyways? and how do you get one? also, should this be put on taxes?

i hope that these are good questions to ask, and that there is someone out there to answer them.

Secrets to Dog Training Reviewed



Recommended Answer:
Do you currently know anyone who's a dog walker? I would contact them and simply ask these questions. Even if they're not in your city (which may actually be preferable so you're not viewed as a competitor), just do a Google search and find other walkers who you can speak to. People are very open and willing to talk about their passions.

Dog Obedience Schools: 4 Tips For Choosing The Right Dog Training Schools


    Read More...

    Friday, July 27, 2012

    Dog Health Questions: I was really mean to my dog-please help?

    Before I adopted my APBT, I read so many books about dog training. Every book said that the owner should ensure that the dog knows who is boss. When I got her, though I was loving, I was very strict and structured. She gets plenty of exercise, food, and fresh air. She is a sweet dog, and everyone loves her. Anyway, tonight I flipped out on her when I came home and saw some of my possessions destroyed. She looked really guilty, and I yelled and plucked her rear end. I am really ashamed of myself, and I feel that she lost trust in me. I was a bully. I saw she was frightened and I took advantage. She is nothing but loving and kind, and I truly do love her. I think I got scared of her bad behavior and felt afraid she would start being disobedient. My husband says that he noticed I am often too strict with her. How do I stop being so stern? I adopted her because I really wanted a dog to love and care for. Somewhere along the way, the love left and the structure came in. Please help. I know some of you may think "she's just a dog", but she is part of my family and I want to be a great pet-parent. Will she forgive me? How do I make things right? Only serious answers please. Thanks.

    Dog Obedience Schools: 4 Tips For Choosing The Right Dog Training Schools



    Recommended Answer:
    She'll forgive you and probably already has by the time you're reading my answer. You lost your temper, which is only human. Your dog is unharmed and you've learned from the experience, so since it's not something you've done before or will do again (I assume), try not to beat yourself up over it. Play with her, take her for walks, train her to strengthen the bond between you again.

    Remember, when correcting a dog, the correction must preferably fall as soon as the dog even contemplates doing something wrong or during the action itself. Later corrections must fall within seconds or they will not connect the correction with the wrong-doing.

    I can't tell you how to be less stern, but it might help to focus more on her good behaviours than her bad. Like do you remember to praise her when she's doing something you approve of, like not begging for food at the table or lying quietly in her bed or by your feet when you watch TV, peeing outside etc. - all of the of the things we tend to take for granted that is actually good behaviour.

    I communicate a great deal with my dog "ah" and "no" for correcting behaviour and "goooood girl" and silly praise for good behaviour and just for being sweet in general. A correction should always be followed by praise when the dog does as it is told eg. stops biting the couch, so that at any given day, the dog will have received more praise than corrections.

    My dog is very focused on me and gets upset if I am angry with her, even when I try to hide it, so if I'm not able to let go of my anger within a few minutes, I usually give myself a time-out until I've calmed down again. Human time-outs are a good thing and saved my sanity when my first dog was in her teen-phase and a destructive and obnoxious brat. The time-outs also prevented me from loosing my temper with her.

    Aggressive Dog Training Made Easy


    • Well, if she's not sure about you right now, you should regain her trust, let her know that you didn't mean it and is sorry, pet her gently and nicely. And you should only be strict to her if she is doing something wrong, if not, then why should you be mean? If she is loving and caring then it shouldn't be a problem. hope it works out

    • She'll forgive you, just provide plenty of love.

      You should be stern, but you should also be loving. There *are* times when you can say "good girl" for no reason (as long as she's not misbehaving) or talk to her in a baby voice. She'd probably love that.

      Is she still a puppy? Maybe crating her when you are out (as long as it's not for too long) would keep her from destroying things.

    • im having the same problem..... i'll put this on my watchlist so i can come bak to read the answers later.

      thanks for posting it. i have a APBT too. =]

    • Just love her. Play with her and only correct her when absolutely necessary! Soon she will see that you love her and just want the best for her.

    • Show me the dog owner or parent who hasn't lost it once or twice and I'll show you a saint. I lost it one time with my dog, when I was rushing for a ferry with take-out food in one hand, leash in the other, and the dog made an uncharacteristic lunge towards another dog and pulled me right down to the sidewalk. I was so mad I was standing there yelling at her in the street, and I don't yell at dogs since I find that a look and a bit of snap in the voice works better. Don't worry about this. A one-time incident won't make much difference if any. It's the day after day abuse and neglect that really affects a dog, and it's clear that your dog, on the whole, is getting what she needs. Everyone has a different style with their dog and there isn't just one that's right. I'm also one of those who gives my dog a lot of structure and I'm not overly affectionate--no baby talk, etc. My dog is also well-behaved, very sweet and very popular. Some might think I'm too strict, but I see a lot of dogs who need more and not less structure. So ease up a bit if it will make you feel better, which is easier to do anyway as the dog gets older and better trained, and make a point of having a few cuddle moments each day with the dog.

      You're quite right that part of why you got so mad is that you felt that your dog misbehaving reflected on your training. Very human reaction. It takes quite a bit of self-control and insight at the moment these things happen to realize that the fault wasn't the dog's but yours. However, if the dog does something awful and you show no reaction, the dog may think that whatever it was doesn't matter. I once came home to find that the dog had sh*t on the floor. I decided it was my fault since I hadn't taken him out enough, so I shouldn't chew him out for it. He slunk around the house for half and hour, so I told him off while pointing to the spot. He hung his head and all that until I was finished, then got very happy. He knew he'd done something bad, had been waiting for the punishment, and was glad it was all over now.

      Also, figure out if you can what brought on the chewing incident and take steps to prevent it happening in the future. Was the dog lonely, bored, were you away longer than usual, or what? She may be happier conmfined to a smaller area.

    • Actually, structure is really good for a dog. My dog likes having a routine and structure in his life. Whenever we have to change that routine, he gets stressed and unhappy. It is also important to be a leader to your dog, and communicate to her what is right and what is wrong. So I think you are already on the right path.

      The most important thing in terms of achieving leadership is to always be calm and assertive. That was the hardest thing for me to do, but it really makes a big difference. Every time I feel myself getting angry, I would catch myself, and practice breathing slowly. If I can't control my temper, I will leave for a bit and only come back when I am more calm. I find that talking in a calm voice also helps me control my anger.

      For now, I would put your dog in a long-term confinement area (e.g. kitchen) when you are not around. Make sure the space is safe and secure and put in bedding, water bowl, puppy pads (if needed), and lots of safe chew toys and food toys. That way, she only chews on the safe chew toys rather than your prized possessions.

      When you are around to supervise, non-mark her (No) when she chews on something she shouldn't and redirect her onto a chew toy. Praise her well when she starts chewing on the toy.

      Following the NILIF program and doing regular obedience sessions will also help.

    • It's normal and a good sign you feel bad for how you scolded her. Dogs do need structure, but also lots of love and attention. Your dog probably chewed your possessions from separation anxiety. You should love your dog up, but if you feel like all you do is tell her what not to do she will expect that's all you can give. If you really want your dog to know her boundaries and be obedient why don't you try some training classes. Petsmart offers training classes they are inexpensive, and work well - I got my dog trained there. They will give you techniques to work w/your dog, and you will learn the balance of being to strict to being the boss who loves their dog. Don't beat yourself up, just try spending time w/your dog, give it good praise - you'll find when you praise your dog for good behavior they will be very responsive, and a lot more relaxed around you. And your not alone, their isn't a dog owner that hasn't lost their temper w/the pets. Best of Luck!

    • okay, i know how bad you feel. we also have an american pit bull(gunnermack 2.5 years old). anyway, there was one day where everything was just going wrong ( by wrong i mean everything )and all he wanted was my attention. well i was frustrated beyond belief. all he did was walk into the same room as me and ask for a treat. i blew up at him, he went to his couch, hiding his head and shaking. i felt horrible. i sat down beside him, and asked to see his face, the saddest face i have ever seen. i took his head into my arms and hugged him told him i was sorry for yelling at him. it took him about an hour to get off of his couch, but when he did i got the biggest kiss ever. pitties are very sensitive creatures, and i was a very bad mom that day. since then we have taught each other, and have also respected one anothers space. just love her and respect her. she will give you unconditional love, for the rest of her life. not to mention how goofy they are. the best clowns god ever made!

    • Don't worry, I think everyone that owns a cat or dog probably looses their patience with them at some point. My recently adopted jack russell/min pin mix has a habit of eating our clothes. Go figure!! And every time I find a chewed up shirt or good pair of jeans I get really angry and call her bad names. I feel horrible and she always looks soo sorry she did it, even though I know she is only reacting to the way I am acting. I have even spanked her. Just know that as long as you are not always hitting her or being abusive she'll be fine.

    • First let me say that you are human. We all get frustrated and lose it sometimes. The trick is to learn from our mistakes. Dogs are one of the most forgiving creatures that God made. Now forgive yourself.
      Boundaries and consistency are necessary but so is love and affection. I suggest going to a good obedience class. The trainer can give you some tools for how to react to different situations. Look into some positive reinforcement training. I do not know what you mean by "plucked" but if it meant hit in any way vow to never do that again. Dogs do not understand about possessions. If it looks good at the moment to chew, they chew. We have to teach them what is off limits. Until she understands this keep everything out reach that you don't want destroyed. Confine her when she is not with you.

      You sound like you are trying to be a good owner who had a "Moment".


    • Your dog will forgive you, but from now on you need to be more loving and kind to her. Do you really want this dog? How were YOU treated as a child? Were you abused? If you can't be a responsible pet owner, consider giving the dog to a more loving home. And what do you mean that you "plucked her rear end"? PLEASE don't abuse this innocent dog no matter how much she might misbehave.

      ***I don't think my answer was unnecessary at all. Some animals endure HELL from abusive owners. And I can't stand that. You either want a pet to love and care for or you don't. Mistreating an animal shows the owner has a temper problem or something similar. Sorry if I offended you, but I just hate to see an animal mistreated. They don't understand.
    Read More...

    Monday, May 28, 2012

    Dog Health Questions: Dog Training.?

    I have 3 dogs. And 2 cats. One of our dogs is a 8-9 month old dachshund. We can't seem to get her to listen or do anything.
    She doesn't even know her own name. I need help on ways to train her on the following:
    *potty training
    *barking(she is always barking for the cat)
    *knowing her name
    *come&stay
    *"no"
    *chewing and eating everything in her path.
    *begging

    so far, for potty training, we put her in a small cage. with blankets during the night so she wont pee on the carpet. But during the day, she will come right in front of you and start to pee. like is a game. We tried barking collars, but they didn't work, no mattter how tight we put them, all the dogs would help her take it off.

    Searching For Cheap Dog Training Collars



    Recommended Answer:
    Sounds like she is a bit stubborn and is in charge, which I believe is typical for this breed..
    My suggestion is getting her into some training classes ASAP...find a local training club in your area.

    ADD
    to tell you HOW to train for everything you have listed, it would take weeks

    Using a Dog Training Harness to Train Your Dog


    • Here's a site. Sorry, I don't think I'd be able to explain everything in one post.
      http://www.training-dogs.com/dog-trainin…

    • 1. potty training: crate training normally works. They should be able to hold their bladder one hour for every month old they are (or so my vet tells me, and this is up to a point of course based on size).

      2. barking: This is going to seem counter intuitive but my GSD trainer recommended to teach a dog who barks a lot the "speak" command. Then teach the "stop" command, so when your dog begins barking at something they shouldn't, they know you want them to stop and what you want them to stop doing.

      3. knowing her name: I recently adopted a GSD and had the same issue. I was recommended to randomly say his name and reward with praise and an occasional small treat when he responded. This makes him associate his name with positive things. It worked for my dog, so maybe it will for yours as well.

      4. come & stay: There really isn't such a thing as a "stay" command. My dog is instructed to SIT or DOWN and is expected to stay there until I give him a release command (can be any word you choose). This is the equivalent of stay. If you tell her to do something she should not deviate from that until you tell her. You may have to have her sit for an extended period of time to get her to understand (just when she tests you by getting up a few times), then give the release word to let her know it's okay to move around when you say that particular word.

      As far as come, once she gets her name down all you should have to do is say her name and she will come to you. This should be done regularly with an occasional treat as incentive to get her to stop what she is doing and come to you (I think it is called proofing).

      5. "no" : I just recently went through this with my GSD. We laid out dog friendly things like kibble pieces, chews (that were not his), and a stick (not a regular toy) and walked him around the items. Since they are things a dog is naturally interested in, he wanted to sniff them and was corrected with a quick STOP (or whatever word you choose). We did this a few times and now anytime he is doing something he shouldn't I say STOP and he does. Make sure the items are not things she would normally have, because you don't want her to develop an aversion.

      6. chewing and eating everything in her path: I haven't really encountered this with my current or past pets, so I don't have any real experience based advice for this one.

      7. begging: NEVER feed her while you are eating and ignore her behavior. This worked for a friends dog and mine was starting to develop this problem (due to my boyfriend feeding him snacks while we eat). Make sure all members of the household stick to this or it won't work.

      Remember all these things take regular reinforcement to keep them up, inconstancy is a dogs worse enemy. I agree with several other people that a regular training course maybe a good idea as well, to keep you both up to speed. It has helped me recognize some of the bad habits we were developing with my GSD and is a good way to bond.

      Good luck! Let us know how it goes!!

    • This breed was bred to hunt badgers and they are tough and sutbborn.
      Training is the key if you are not sure how get into some classes and get some help.
      These are great dogs but require patience and lots of training.
      We had them when I was young and they were great dogsb ut it took lots of training to get them to be.
      As for the cats some will never quit chasing and going after the cat. They were bred to hunt smaller furred game. It is instinct.

    • Barking collars are cruel and should be outlawed. Dogs bark. If you can't handle it you shouldn't have one.

      She is a puppy, therefore her instincts are to bark, chew and eat everything she comes into contact with. Is she getting LOTS of daily exercise? Toys? When she chews on something other than a toy, simply say no, and give her a toy to chew on. She will eventually get the idea.

      Don't EVER hit her or use a newspaper, you will only make her afraid of you and not be able to focus on any sort of training. If she pees right in front of you, simply pick her up and place her outside and keep repeating "go potty". Eventually she will do it on command, but you have to think FOR her; take her out every couple of hours and wait until she does, then praise her and give her a treat. She will learn quickly.

      I highly suggest you take her to a training class, Petsmart has good positive training and PRACTICE! You can't expect her to learn from one class a week. It takes lots and lots of work to have a trained dog. (I am a trainer). She will be in the puppy stage until about the age of two, so be willing to invest time, money and patience. If you aren't, then you should find her a good home.
    Read More...

    Saturday, February 25, 2012

    Dog Health Questions: Dog training - petsmart or elsewhere?

    Has anyone had experience with petsmart's training classes? I have a 1.5 year old boxer/germanshepherd mix and a 9 month old australian shepherd mix (both males). They already know basics such as sit, down, beg, bang, shake, and crate. They need to be taught to stay, to walk on a leash nicely, and to not get so excited and jump when company comes. Will a class at petsmart provide these results, or should I look somewhere else? Any suggestions would be so much appreciated!

    Dog Training Advice For Training Your Best Friend



    Recommended Answer:
    Petsmart might work well since your pack do not seem to have behavior issues. For more involved training beyond the simple basics, you could contact your local humane society and see what classes and individual instructors they suggest.

    Your pack happens to have some challenging, inventive breeds. It would be worth it to at least call around to instructors.

    Dog Training - Basics


    • I've watched some sessions at PetSmart and they seem to be pretty good. I also like the fact that they have classes with other dogs, so they learn how to socialize.

    • I'M NOT SURE BUT I WOULD THINK THAT PETSMART WOULD. I WOULD CALL AND MAKE SURE. I HAVE HEARD REALLY GOOD THINGS ABOUT PETSMARTS CLASSES

    • Man's Best Friend!! They're expensive but it works!!

    • I would look into whether there's a dog obedience or training club in your area. Also, check into classes run by local kennels. The trainers at these locations typically have much more experience than those hired by PetSmart. Also, the classes are typically held in a larger area. The confined space at PetSmart makes training more difficult. Also, the smells and sounds of the store are distracting to the dog. This is my experience based on training two dogs there and training others through other groups.
    Read More...

    Thursday, January 26, 2012

    Dog Health Questions: Please dog training help URGENT!! 10 points.?

    well my dog turned 1 years old yesterday and ive had him for 10 months. hes still not doing good on the potty training ive tried yelling at him and showing him that he need to go on his training pad but nothing. he pees somewhere new almost everday. one day he peed in my sister room on the floor then yesterday he peed on my bed! for the first time ever! any advice?

    another problem ive been having with my puppy is that he keeps chewing my little brothers toys and my mom takes care of kids so shes really getting anoyed. any help? cause my mom hits him and tells me she is ganna donate him. please help me! AIVCEE urgent!
    p.s what time do dogs star behaving good?

    Dog Training Techniques - Which Ones Work?



    Recommended Answer:
    The first mistake you're making is yelling at your dog. Dogs have a hard time understanding why people are yelling at them, and your dog could take you yelling at him to mean that he shouldn't pee in front of you, or that he shouldn't pee where you can find it. Instead you need to focus on positive reinforcement- i.e. praising him verbally and with treats to help him to understand that he needs to go outside. This will make it much clearer for him as to where he should pee.

    Another thing is the pee pads. These generally do not work and make it much harder to train a dog to go to the bathroom. The pee pad is 1) made of a soft material and 2) in the house. This makes it very hard for a dog to differentiate between, say, your bed and his pee pad. It's hard for him to understand that he has to pee in one specific area of the house but not another, whereas if you taught him to go only outside he would have a clearer distinction of his pee place and the inside of your house. If you think about it, for a puppy it can be really hard to tell the difference between a bed or a carpeted floor and his pee pad. They're both inside, both relatively soft, and may even be the same colour.

    So what you should do is start to train him to go outside only. To do this, you need to watch him like a hawk and take him out when you feel that he is about to pee, and especially right after his meals and when he drinks. When you take him outside and he does go to the bathroom, praise him and give him a treat. He will soon learn that good things happen to him when he pees outside. By never giving him an opportunity to go inside, he will soon learn to only go outside and it will start to be very strange to him to go inside as he will see the outside as his "place" to go. Ignore any accidents he has indoors. This means no yelling or hitting.

    And as for your last question, dogs start behaving well when you start training them. "Behaving well" is a human thing that can only be taught to dogs- it doesn't come naturally. I suggest you enrol in a dog training class to learn basic obedience. Focus on positive reinforcement and less on negative reinforcement. Dogs learn much better when they are not hit.

    EDIT: I forgot about the chewing issue. The most important and effective thing you can do about chewing your brother's toys is to put them in an area where your dog cannot reach them. I'm guessing you got him toys that closely resemble plush toys like your brother has? Again, it's hard for your puppy to differentiate between his toys and your brothers. Giving the puppy only a specific area of the house- like say your kitchen or your family room, will help you to keep a closer eye on him and will also help you to regulate what he can and cannot get ahold of. If he does get ahold of something he shouldn't, grab one of his other toys and start making a big fuss over them so that he drops the item he isn't supposed to have to come over and see what you're doing. When he does this, give him his toy and praise him with a treat.

    A Working Dog - Training


    • It is perfectly normal behavior. The chewing of our personal belongings is the dog's natural instinct. .Get your pup some chewing things or toys to play. Peeing on your bed means that he is establishing his territorial area. What he needs is more attention and love. Speak with him and play with him , Spend more time with him and he will behave. I am of the opinion that pets do not really need the st training. They learn by them selves ten commands and about 30 to 50 words.

    • Buy him a crate and crate train him. Until then, he should not be allowed in any rooms or be given free reign of the house. Stop using pee pads. It just teaches them to go in the house. Take your dog out every 20 minutes and praise and treat when he goes.

      Keep him in an enclosed space so he can't get to any of their toys. Simple as that. Give him his own toys to chew.
      Dogs "start behaving good" when you TRAIN them.

    • For the potty training, you should get one of those fake grass rugs and then smear some of his poop on it. He'll than think that that's where he should go to the washroom. ( works on some dogs )
      Or you can just have him trained at dog school

    • get a book on dog training
      talk to a trainer at petsmart
      takes work and consistent training
      when you have spent the time in training them.

    • Hitting him is wrong and it won't do a bit of good. It sounds like he's not getting enough people interaction and he is rebelling. If you cannot spend more time training him perhaps giving him up for adoption would be best. He is NOT going to train himself. He does NOT know right from wrong till he has been spent time with him on a constant basis 24/7/365!!!

      However, till he is trained he should not have run of the house where he can do his business everywhere. Put him in a room and place him on the pad every 20 minutes. Reward him with a treat every time he pees/poops.

      This is how we trained our new rescue puppy in 2 weeks. However, we trained her to go outside. She is 4 months and completely trained for the last 6 weeks now.

      Toys should be up out of his way or behind closed doors. He should have a nylon bone which he could chew on.

      Good luck.

    • First of all for the toys and anythn else he chews on, theres a special spray that you can put on it. The spray is non-toxic and good for the enviroment. it just leaves a bad taste in the dogs mouth. if you can't find this spray (sorry i dont remember the name) use a tabasco sauce or really sour, strong apple juice. he will want to chew on other things so maybe u should get him some chew toys. once he goes after the kids toys, take it away from and try to put the new toy in his mouth.

      if the dog pees somewhere and u catch him pee-ing spray them with water. out of a spritz bottle. usually this method is for cats but it has worked great on all of my dogs. if that doesnt work try somethn like puttin his face in the spot he peed in and SAY 'no' in a VERY stern voice, then carry him to his mat and say 'good boy'. continue to do this. everytime it happens. dont yell just use a stern voice. its worked for me. if none of these work. call a dog trainer. they'll have some good tips.

      check this site out;
      http://www.buzzle.com/articles/dog-chewing-problems.html

    • You have to be patient, it takes work. Get the pee pads and if he goes in any other spot other than there, point to the spot he peed and say in a stern voice, "NO." And any time he acts as if he has to go potty, take him outside. Take him on daily walks each day and encourage him and be sure to say good bye when he goes.

      As for the toys, like I said for the peeing, tell him no with a stern voice and point to the toy. But a puppy is going to chew...that's completely natural, have your brother keep his toys picked up or do it for him if he's young.

      Good luck!

    • Sounds like you need a kennel.
      If your dog is in its kennel it can't do bad things like pee anywhere it wants and chew up toys. The kennel is for when you can't be there to supervise your dog. It is not punishment.
      I kennel train all my dogs and I don't suffer these problems. The easiest way to crate train a dog is to start feeding him in it. Offer special toys in the crate and make sure that you take your dog out on a schedule. First thing in the morning, abound mid day if your mom is home. After dinner and last thing you do before you go to bed.
      The hardest thing to train is that the dog must be quite to get out of its kennel. Barking and howling will not get you free. But good manners and maybe some dog training classes will make a huge difference. I have crates laying about my house and the dog still use them even though i no longer close the doors. It has become their safe place.
      Also get your dog fixed sounds like he is marking territory.
      Dogs start acting goof when their owners take control and train their dogs. It's not his fault its yours.

    • There is no age where the dog just starts being well behaved. A dog requires clear and consistent training from its owner (YOU!) to guide them in their behavior. Otherwise they are just going to act naturally and naturally is usually a nightmare for the typical owner.

      It is very sad that at one year old you have not manged to potty train him after you've had him for TEN months. Do a Goggle.com search for "crate housebreaking training". After you have done that, buy a crate and a product called Natural Miracle. Clean every single place in the house your dogs has peed with it. Then begin the housebreaking your dog and it may take up to a couple months to fully train him at an older age with no real training.

      As for him chewing your little brother's toys, PICK THEM UP! The dog doesn't know nor care that they are not HIS toys, he's gonna play with them and dog chew what they play with. Tell your brothers if they want to keep their toys, to keep them in their room or pick them up out of the dog's reach when they are done.

    • No wonder he as not learned anything! You guys have done nothing but abuse him! You yell at him and she hits him! I would not be surprised if your dog peed on your bed because he doesn't like you very much. Dogs start behaving when you start teaching them and training them properly which so far you have not done. The best option for you is to sign up for dog training classes or find the dog a better home.
      Ps. Not trying to be rude but I don't like it when people mistreat animals.

      EDIT: Dog do NOT learn if you "show" him what he did because he does not remember! He thinks that you are yelling at him for what ever he JUST did which is come over to you so that way you are effectively teaching you dog not to come to you. The only time that it is ok to yell at your dog the NO word is when and ONLY when you catch him in the act!

    • If you're asking yourself the question "how do I stop my dog peeing in the house?" then this article was written for you. Specifically, we're going to talk about why your dog is peeing inside your home, what you shouldn't do to overcome this problem, and what you should do to fix this. By the time you've finished reading this article, you'll know how to stop a dog from peeing in the house.

      Let's start by looking at what makes your dog pee in your home. The most likely reason is that your dog is marking his territory. You see, dogs have an advanced sense of smell. So if another dog was to enter your home, they would soon know that this territory "belongs" to your dog. Male dogs are more likely to engage in this behavior, and particular breeds are also more likely to do this.

      So what shouldn't you do?

      Most dog owners will get angry and try to punish their dog for peeing in the the home. But the problem is that this just doesn't work, and it's also unfair - because your dog doesn't understand why you are punishing him. Unless you can actually catch him "in the act", you will only confuse him.

      A better alternative is to use positive reinforcement techniques.

      So let's talk about what you can do to overcome this problem. The best solution is to start early with crate training. While it may look like a "prison" to us - it really isn't cruel. To your dog, the crate is an enjoyable space which he will find comforting, not restricting. The benefit to this is that your dog won't pee in a small enclosed environment like this.

      But if this just isn't an option, you can always "distract" him before he pees, so you have time to take him outside. Simply make a loud shaker. Put a few coins into an empty water bottle, and shake it quickly to make a loud sound. This will alert your dog, and give you time to take him outside to pee.a bored dog can easily become a destructive dog. If your dog isn't getting enough exercise and stimulation, she may start chewing out of sheer boredom. Make sure your dog gets plenty of outside time, play time, and walks. Give her appropriate things to chew, like rubber toys, rawhides, and stuffed toys. She may be able to entertain herself for hours if you buy a Kong or similar toy that you can put food or treats inside. Working to get the treats out keeps even power chewers like my brother's dogs occupied for a long time.A dog with separation anxiety may be destructive to your belongings or to herself! If you come home to find that your dog has torn things apart or done damage to the wood around your doors and windows, she may be experiencing separation anxiety. You may also notice that she has chewed or licked herself bare during your absence -- to the point of creating large and painful sores!

      Separation anxiety is more common among small breeds, because they tend to be cuddled and coddled more than large dogs. However, if your dog never learned (as a puppy) to spend time alone and always had human company, she may have separation anxiety regardless of size. The more dependent your dog is on you, the greater chance she has of experiencing separation anxiety when you are away.

      If your dog is experiencing separation anxiety and doing damage while you are away from home, you may want to try distracting her with food and toys. Giving her appropriate things to chew and occupy her time can help ease her anxiety while you are away -- and the treats will make being alone into a positive experience, instead of a negative one. You may also want to find a safe room to leave her in, so she doesn't have free run of the house while nobody's

    • Ah, training pads. There's your problem right there.

      If you want to housebreak him, throw out the training pads and purchase a crate that is just the right size for him. Keep him in there when you can't watch him. Yell loudly when you catch him going in the house, and praise greatly when he goes outside.

      As for the chewing thing, put the toys where he can't reach them! Give him some toys of his own to chew on (make sure they are dog friendly) and praise him when he chews on them. If you catch him chewing the kids toys, yell at him loudly. Don't hit him.

      Good luck with your pup!
    Read More...

    Thursday, December 1, 2011

    Dog Health Questions: Dog training tips for a dog that just runs off?

    I have a problem with our 20 month old dog. We have only had him for about 5 months and when we first got him he was pulling at the lead and was unsocial, his previous owner never took hm for walks. Now we take him for walks 3 - 4 times a day. I have stopped him from pulling as much now just by stopping every time he pulls and it seems to be working. But the trouble is that he goes absolutely mental every time he sees another dog. He barks , screams, he jumps up and will not settle. We have tried letting him smell the dogs and sniff them ( doesn't work ) and if we turned back ( around 180 ) every time he sees a dog we would never get anywhere. We just don't know what to do. He is only a terrier cross, not a big dog.

    Also he keeps on escaping and we can't catch him. He has done this 3 times now. He runs and runs like a grey hound and the more we call him or shout he runs ! He nearly got run over today :(
    3 times he ran across the road.

    Can anybody give us any good advice ? We can't let him off his lead and are at the end of out tether . Half of the dogs he goes mad at are well behaved !

    Is his only option paid dog training ?
    Or should we get a choke collar ?
    Or should we get a clicker ?

    Any help will be appreciated.

    Are Dog Training Collars Humane



    Recommended Answer:
    Hi, I feel for you.

    What your dog needs is basic obedience training. Train him to sit and then stay ( in and outside ).

    When he first starts to react to other dogs turn around and take him away

    You can train him with treats and by using a whistle or clicker if you prefer. But you don't need a whistle or a clicker. Just treat training will work.

    It sounds like you are going to be a very conscientious dog owner and that is the most important thing.

    Marie x

    Dog Training - You and Your Dog


    • Hi!

      There's a short period in a puppy's development, from very early puppyhood to three or four months of age, when his experiences have a big effect on his entire approach to life. If he has lots of positive encounters with other dogs, all kinds of humans, and new situations during that developmental window, he's far more likely to grow up to be a confident, relaxed, and friendly dog. Trainers call this process socialization.

      Click the link below for more information.

      Thank you!

    • First I'd say that continue to turn him in the other direction every time he has ANY reaction to another dog. 'Getting somewhere' can come after he's trained. As far as his 'escapes' are concerned, if you do heavy obedience training with him (you can take him to a group class which will be less expensive than individual training or attempt to train him yourself), and put him in a sit - stay every time the door is opened, you shouldn't have any problems. Until then, he can't be allowed anywhere near an open door as your luck is bound to run out. Neutering (if he isn't already) still might help with his urge to roam.

    • the other dog thing is going to need some training.... but the running off has to stop....... set up a berrier of how far you will let your dog wonder........ get that device that when it passes the barrier it sends a little shock into its system....... it will not hurt but it will get the point across........ the dog will eventually learn and befor too long will not need that device any longer

    • As for his escaping, no leaving him outside, unattended. There are MANY things that could and do go wrong when people do that. We almost got our first two dogs stolen. Thank GOD our neighbor caught the two guys.

      Also, be sure this dog gets plenty of running. Leash him up, and run him for an hour a day. Not likely he'll stop running to go ballistic. He'll probably be too tired to do it.

      In your case I would suggest basic obedience training.

    • "We have tried letting him smell the dogs and sniff them ( doesn't work )" How have you done this? Nose to nose at the length of a tight lead so you can pull him away when he gets anxious and barks or lunges? Or the correct 'meet and greet' that doesn't give him the wrong information?

      Eye to eye,( nose to nose) can be aggressive in dog language, you holding a tight, tense lead tells this already anxious reactive dog that you are fearful too....so no it won't work

      Treat him to a muzzle, this is not because he is badly behaved, it is so you can be sure as a responsible owner that YOUR dog won't bite another dog, find a well behaved dog, ask the owner if you can help your dog to socialise as he is fearful of other dogs, ask the owner to turn their dog around so your dog can sniff the other dogs butt, ( let him sniff) try to keep a loose lead ( as tension means he will pull and is likely to react), then turn him around, the easiest way is put him through your legs so each leg contains and supports him and he is then not looking at the dog and let the other dog sniff him, praise ( if he is good ) and while it is going well say thanks and walk away ( don't stand around and allow him to become reactive) You need to do this at least once a day and every time even if he has met the dog before. As a rule of thumb, for every one bad experience you need 10 good experiences to balance it. Try not to talk to him ( it is information he doesn't need) as he needs to concentrate on 'speaking' to other dogs. You will find after a few goes you can tell him 'speak' and many dogs will automatically turn so the other dog can speak to him. Don't use dogs who are as reactive as him, as it won't help him..........then book some classes so he can start to learn how to behave around other dogs who are working and close to him...............

      Google NILIF and start this training today with him at home..........basically he has to earn whatever he gets, so no off lead until his recalls are 100%, no strokes until he does something like sit, buy him a kong and fill it daily with his meal and let him earn it, the chewing with relieve some of his anxiety, it will reduce some of his excess negative energy and he will tire and calm down and sleep

    • Something that helps is NOT yelling at him when he finally returns home. If he knows that is what is in store for him, he will not be inclined to come back easily.
      I would try starting the training indoors and everytime you call his name and he comes either give him a treat or praise him. He will soon learn that coming when you call him is a positive thing and something he will want to do-this may mean keeping treats in your pocket when you are outdoors.
      As for the agressiveness towards the other dogs, try to ignore the other dogs yourself and keep on walking calmly by. As soon as he starts to give a reaction upon seeing them, give a quick tug upwards on his leash and say "no!" then resume your walk. This will need to be repeated MANY times but after a while it should get better. Try to remember to stay calm-this will help!
    Read More...

    Thursday, November 10, 2011

    Dog Health Questions: Trying to raise money for an assistant dog training facility/rescue organization.Any Ideas.?

    My father currently trains assistant dogs for the physically disabled out of his home for free. We are in desperate need of a facility- so I am looking for ideas of how to raise money and how to get our organization known. Any ideas will be helpful.

    Dog Training vs Horse Training



    Recommended Answer:
    Take an especially good dog and make an appointment to talk with the Mayor, some local kennels, stores like PetsMArt, the local newspaper, the local TV and radio stations for publicity.

    You can also find a cute little child that has an assistant dog and ask her to help by being a spokesperson... just like Jerry Lewis does.

    You might offer to 'donate' time on the weekends to train dog owners for $100/dog for the life of the dog in the Facility. Train the owners to teach simple obedience and to learn the positive methods of Ian Dunbar. This could be coordinated with all adoption centers, Humane Society, Pound, ASPCA, and Vets... because proper training is almost as important as neutering. IN this way, these organizations might be more interested in helping to set up the facility. ... Or you might be able to share an existing facility.

    But talking to lots and lots of people, and getting visibility is the key to raising money.

    Obedience Training for Dogs - Training Guide


    • Try putting on some sort of demo. $2-5 per person to come and learn about what it is you do and see what the dogs are capable of. People always wanna help the cause, and everyone loves dogs.

    • http://www.funderbug.com

      Also, e-mail me for info.

      We have a Special Projects team that is not public on our site.
    Read More...

    Saturday, October 29, 2011

    Dog Health Questions: Can you use dog training techniques on people?

    By this I mean can you teach or modify bad behaviors. Give an instance if yes.

    Hunting Dog Training Equipment



    Recommended Answer:
    Positive consistent reinforcement will benefit man and beast. We just don't encourage and compliment each other enough. I would not advertise that I was using dog training techniques, but in our undisciplined culture, a little more discipline with positive rewards couldn't hurt.

    A Working Dog - Training


      Read More...

      Sunday, September 18, 2011

      Dog Health Questions: Can I trust this site called etronixmart.com to buy dog training collars?

      I love my dog, so I decide to select a good dog training collars for it. Then I came across this site: http://www.etronixmart.com/ that offer dog training collars. They are in low price but with amazing function. Anyone who buy from this site can share your suggestion?

      Dog Training Book - Why Buy One? When Everything is Free Online!



      Recommended Answer:
      Better question - why do you feel the need to electrocute your dog to make him obey you, rather than humanely training him?

      Puppy and Dog Training


      • All of these collars are cheap rip-offs that either won't work well enough or will short out on you. I would NOT recommend any of them.

        If you're going to use an e-collar then you must do so at the advice of a professional and you MUST invest in a quality collar. Period. Anything less that professional and you may end up injuring the dog.

        Try Dogtra brands.

      • I would go to petsmart or petco if you are going to use them. E Collars were going to be our next try if squirt guns failed with my dog barking NONSTOP at the dog park.

        My, some people can sure be judgemental about this. They act like we have never humanely trained dogs. I trained four of my dogs without having to use squirt guns, but this one is definitely a trial. But squirt guns worked for us..thankfully.

      • Amazing low price . . . remember what grandpa used to say. . ."You get what you pay for". Cheap price = Cheap Product
      Read More...

      Monday, August 29, 2011

      Dog Health Questions: What do you think of Petsmart dog training?

      I was thinking of enrolling my puppy into the Petsmart dog training. Good idea or Bad idea?

      Need Help With Dog Training? Help is at Hand



      Recommended Answer:
      I have on occasion watched their classes in the store and they are pretty bad. They have a tiny little area right in the middle of the store and the instructors are not good for the most part.

      If you want good training for less, go to a training club as they are not for profits & the instructors are the people who compete in dog show obedience & agility etc trials & they know what they are doing! They will also have large fully matted & padded rings. The best training for your buck plus they are not trying to get you to buy stuff from a store.

      To find one go to: http://www.akc.org/events/obedience/trai… or you can use google too.

      Easy Dog Obedience Training Can Be Done at Home With a Do it Yourself Dog Training Program


      • If your dog has any issues, forget it.....they cant deal with it.

        For basic puppy training they could be okay, depending on the trainer. The one in the store near me is pretty good, but she had her own training business before she started working there.
        The trainer before her was also good, but the girl who took her place when she had a medical leave was an idiot.

        Go watch a few classes and see what you think of the trainer you are considering.

      • I've watched several PetsMart/PetCo classes over the years and I'm not impressed. First, in most cases the area is too small for the amount of dogs in a training class. At least four feet between dogs is the safest way to keep dogs apart especially those that may be aggressive or are very rambunctious. I also have some concerns about the trainer's qualifications. Most have gone through a training course. However passing a course doesn't mean that you can train just any dog. So the lack of true experience and working with dogs really kind of concern me. Since you have a PetsMart in your area, there are most likely more qualified experienced trainers in your area. Below are some websites that list qualified trainers. Just because a trainer is not on one of these lists doesn't mean that she is unqualified either. It is best to observe a class before putting down your hard earned money. Most trainers will let you observe a class or two without your dog.

      • Petsmart puppy classes ARE FINE!! The main point of the puppy classes is SOCIALIZATION. Enroll! You should be able to teach the basics yourself, and puppy class is a great place to practice with distractions... but the main purpose is absolutely socialization at petsmart or anywhere else. You want to get puppy play time and practice simple commands in a setting of distraction. I wouldn't take an advanced obedience course there but, come on now folks.

      • Find a private trainer that has been doing dog sports and dog training for years and has experience with multiple different breed. Look it is possible a Petsmart trainer might be okay at there job it just is more likely you will find a better trainer somewhere else. Usually a dog daycare will do training classes at night so look there first.

      • Hi, i think you would be better spending £10-£20 on a training manual rather than Petsmart as you would get a lot more out of it. I bought 3 books when i got my Boxer dog 1 month ago and found the best was The ABC of Dog Keeping http://www.train-yourdog.com which is a downloadable ebook which only takes 10 minutes to get, that had everything i neeed and was really enjoyable for my dog and me. It also has an Amateur Veterinarian chapter which has saved me lots of money on vets bills, whatever you decide to do good luck!!

      • I am just finishing up. Its a little fast-paced and can be chaotic, depending on your classmates. Be ready to buy a LOT of treats. But they use tried and true techniques and positive training. Its more for you than the dog, they teach you how to train a dog. Your puppy may not come out of class a superstar, but you will have the tools to train it.

      • Well, my personal thought of putting your dog in training at petsmart is that they don't really spend that much time with all of the dogs. Remember, there are plenty other dogs at the petsmart dogtraining. Some of them might be aggressive toward your dog. It's hard for a dog to concentrate on one thing to do when there are tons of other dogs around them. It would be easier and faster for you to train your dog yourself. Ofcourse, you could hire a personal trainer. You can look for personal trainers on craigslist.com. That's what I would do if I didn't want to teach my dog myself. Only if you get a personal trainer or even go to petsmart, you will still have to help train your dog. If I were you, I would train my do myself. There will be no aggresion, and the dog will listen to you more. You will also not have to spend money. I taught my dog myself and she learned great. She now knows how to sit, lay down, beg, rollover, come, stay, shake, and plenty others.

      • Don't waste your time or money. I am a previous obedience trainer, and observed one of their classes. The trainers know squat. Call your pup's breeder and have them refer you to the local kennel club whose lessons are taught by qualified judges and trainers.

      • I would never get my dog trained there. I don't feel they are qualified and also after I heard two dogs fighting for quite a bit of time, at least two minutes or so and no one doing anything about it, that's what did it for me.

      • I took it with my german shepherd I had when I was in 5th grade and it helped. Shelearned sit stay come heel and some other stuff. Go ahead and take it its a good learninr experience

      • i think Petsmart dog training is very stupid because all they do is train them to sit and that crap. So just train them your self and they will learn after a while.

      • Bad idea. I do not feel as though they are qualified to train a thermos. Never observed a PetSmart trainer that I thought was good, or knew what they were doing.

      • Why would you pay someone to train your dog? Just do not coddle it and it you have to hit it to train it yourself.
      Read More...